Technically your brain isn't a muscle, but that doesn't mean you can't "workout" your brain strength. As a matter of fact, physical exercise has shown to have a positive impact on many things related to brain function, including memory loss.
Exercising gets the blood flowing and can boost endorphins. Most people think of that as something that makes your mood better, but endorphins also help you maintain a sharper memory and encourage the growth of new brain cells. I discovered that earlier this week when I was blessed to attend a seminar on brain health. The doctor giving the presentation stated that it was previously thought that you could not regrow brain cells, but that has been proven to be false. He also said that sleep is very important to brain health, and different people may have different sleep needs. Electronic device usage is discouraged right before bed as well.
One of the portions of the brain that plays a role in memory and learning is the hippocampus. Exercise helps prevent the hippocampus from degeneration. It doesn't completely stop memory loss, but it aids in slowing that process so the degeneration is not as severe. But the type of exercise you do is important. Strength training is not going to have the same effect as aerobic exercise, so don't worry about those bar bells. And you also don't even need to get a gym membership because walking will do just as well as an elliptical.
Studies show that moderate exercise done for 30 minutes 5 times a week is all you need. That could be a nice walk to the post office and back at a somewhat brisk pace, or a walk around your condo complex. I was always told, too, that a 6 minute mile is just as far as a 12 minute mile, so maybe try for a specific distance to get yourself motivated. I currently utilize a Fitbit step tracker, and I was always getting my 10,000 steps a day, so I raised that to 15,000 to challenge myself even more. Sometimes I hit my goal, sometimes I don't, but it is just that little bit more motivation that gets me up from my office chair or off of my sofa to try to get a few more steps in.
Walking outside provides an added benefit. While too much exposure to the sun can be harmful to your skin, if you use sunscreen and get sun in smaller amounts, the Vitamin D can help improve your mood as well.
Don't feel that you have to start out hitting your goal every single day. If you are not used to exercising, start small. Work your way into the goal. Even a small bit of exercise is better than no exercise. Get with a friend to walk. Having someone with you that you like to talk with will help the time fly by and make it easier to want to get up and get out. If the weather is questionable, walk inside. Many shopping malls have something similar to a walking club so you can not only monitor your distance, but you may be able to make new friends who like to walk as well.
In a time where a new dementia case is reported every 4 seconds around the globe, it is important that people do as much as they can while they are still able to. So put on your walking shoes, grab a friend, and discover your surroundings.
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